In this remarkable collection, Bill Gaston crafts his fiction around the idea of the gargoyle the concrete representation of extremes of human emotions. This marvelous, riotous, Rabelaisian world contains gargoyles that are physical manifestations of the disfigurements and contortions to which human beings subject themselves. Each of the collection's 12 stories has a strange and unique guardian spirit whose sometimes benevolent, sometimes malevolent presence informs the characters and their actions. A boy struggles with self-image and the need to fit in. A grieving parent tries to prevent others from making his mistake; tragedy ensues. A vengeful son settles a score with mom and her new lover. Other stories focus on familial delight, as well as discord in the lives of an over-the-top artist, a drunken uncle, and a bitter writer. All show one of Canada's finest writers at the top of his form.
- ISBN10 1283285789
- ISBN13 9781283285780
- Publish Date 1 January 2011 (first published 13 September 2006)
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 19 November 2013
- Publish Country US
- Imprint House of Anansi Press
- Format eBook
- Pages 256
- Language English